7 Must Reads on #RailBudget

#1 How Sadananda Gowda came across as extremely aggressive and modern in his maiden Railway Budget
At the maiden Budget speech, which many termed as the first litmus test for the Modi government, Sadananda Gowda came across as someone who is ready to embark on a much-needed overhaul of the Indian Railways towards modernity. And the biggest proof of this is the sense that he is finally ready to see the Railways as not just an infrastructure issue but also a service industry. We had suggested that the Railways needed a change not just in physical capital, but also in social capital to turn it around, which is something the government seems to be taking note of as well. Read more

#2 Narendra Modi says 'Der aaye durust aaye' about Rail budget, promises development and upgradation
The budget that was presented had a lot to offer in terms of upgradation and future developments including the bullet trains, sanitation, wi-fi facilities but very little when it came to bringing down fares. Narendra Modi reiterated the fact that budget was pro-development and had to happen for India to usher in a new era from India. He praised Rail Budget and said, "initiatives taken will help Indian economy in a big way. Rail budget is a growth engine. This budget will prove that. We neglected it in the past. Aimed at overall development of India. It is a modern budget. Focussed on science and technology," Read more

#3 Highlights of Narendra Modi government's first #RailBudget
Even as the Railway Minister Sadananda Gowda prepares to present his maiden budget in the Parliament, on Tuesday, stakeholders debate the outcomes and impact the new budget could have on the common man. UPA had estimated an investment of Rs. 64,305 crore under Annual Plan 2014-15 in their interim budget. They had also estimated a loss of Rs 30,000 crore for the year. Will the Modi government be able to give us better numbers? Read more

#5 Sadananda Gowda's proposal to introduce FDI in Railways sparks debate; criticised for changing stance
Going against the popular party opinion on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), Railway Minister Sadananda Gowda, in his maiden budget, recommended opening the sector to FDIs. Gowda insisted that growth depends heavily on availability of funds for investment in rail infrastructure. FDI will be limited to infrastructure development and not allowed in operations, he added. However, his bold move to defy party norms, considering that the Home Ministry had already dismissed the idea of FDI in Railways, earned him ire of supporters and opposition alike. Read more

#7 From food courts to Wi-Fi at railway stations: 10 key commuter-friendly ideas in Sadananda Gowda's Railway Budget
In his maiden budget presented on Tuesday, new Railway Minister Sadananda Gowda attempted to provide a well rounded, commuter-centric proposal to upgrade the Indian Railways. Even though many of Gowda's ideas were a reflection of Narendra Modi's key designs, the rail minister did defy the Home Ministry's red flag and proposed to introduce Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the railways. While the fate of these proposals remain to be seen, here are some of key user friendly ideas that might excite the every day commuters. Read here